Vending machine



Dec. 3, 1940. v A. E. GEBERT ETAL 2,223,515

VENDING MACHINE Filed Oct. 51, 1938 y 6 Sheets-Sheet l 36 3f 56 Ii IIE y I Dec@ 3, 1940n A. E. GEBERT E-rAl. 223,515

VENDING MACHINE Filed ct. 31, 1938 6 Sheets-SheetV 2 Dec. 3, 1940. A. E. GEBERT ErAL VENDING MACHINE Filed oct. 31, 195s 6 Sheets-Sheet 3 Dec. s, 1940. A, L.; GEBERT Em 2,223,515

VENDING MACHINE Filed Oct. 31, 1938 6 Sheets-Sheet 4 Dec. 3, 1940. A. EfGEBl-:RT ErAL VENDING MACHINE Filed Oct. 31, 1958 6 Sheets-Sheet 5 Dc. 3, 1940. I A E GEBERT ETAL l 2,223,515

VENDING MACHINE Filed OCl.. 51, 1938 6 Sheets-Sheet 6 Patented Dec. 3, 1940 UNITED STATES PATENT' OFFICE mette, and Floyd C. Black, Chicago, Ill., assignorsto Advance Machine Co., Chicago, Ill., a corporation cf Illinois Application October 31, 1938, Serial No. 237,856

` 15 claims. (ci. B12-94) 'l This invention' relates to improvements in vending machines of the type in which the supports for the articles to be Vended are arranged in a column consisting preferably of downwardly inclined supports, yone above the other andproperly spaced to receive the each support holding the separate articles or commodity.

means when shifted, opera articles therebetween,

ticle so that one may be delivered kfrom the support to the, operator of the machine,and another article will replace the one vended, as long as the reserve supply lasts.

It is one of the objects oi the present invention to provide improved means for lholding a plurality of articles upon the same support, one in ad- Vance of the other, and improved means for succes'sively releasing the articles to be Vended upon the proper operation of the machine, thereby insuringthat a sufficient supply Will be heldin reserve to be automatically positioned to be delivered after the delivery of the-foremost article anduntil the reserve supply has been exhausted.

A further object isA to provideimproved means for keeping the articles upon the respective supports separated from each other, and also improved means for locking theseparating means against operation.

vA further Objectis to provide an improved means for actuating the locking mechanism tor actuate the separating means to release the article.

To the attainment of these ends and the accomplishment of other new and useful objects as will appear, the invention consists in the features of novelty in substantially the construction, combination and arrangement of the several parts, hereinafter more fully vdescribed and claimed and shown in the accompanying draw- `ings illustrating this invention, and in which- Figure l is a front elevation of a portion of a machine, with parts broken away', constructed in `accordance, with the principles of thisv invention.

Figure 2 is a rear elevation of Figure 1, with the back of the machine removed.

Figure 3 is a vertical sec tional view, on an enomitted and on an enlarg line 4 4, Figure 2.

ed'scale, as taken on Figure 5 is a detail sectional View taken on line 5 5, Figure 4. I l

v Figure 6 is a detail' sectional View taken on .line 6 6, Figure 4.-

Figure .'7 is a sectional plan View, with parts 5 broken away and on an enlarged scale,.as taken on line 1 1, Figure 4.y

Figure 8` is a detail sectional View,` on an venlarged scale, taken' on line 8 8, Figure '7.

Figure 9 is a View partly in elevation and partly in section as taken on line 9 9, Figure 8.

Figure 10 is a detailsection'al view-,gon anV en'- larged scale, taken onlinev I0 l il, Figure '7, showing the parts in one position. i e

Figure 11 is a right hand end elevation of' Figure 10. 1

Figure 12 is a view similar to Figure 8, showing the parts in a different position.

Figure 13 is a detail `perspective View of the lockingv means for a supplemental article retainer. '20

, Referring more particularly to thedrawings, the number l5 designates generally an enclosing casing which may be 'of any desired'size' and congurationV and constructed of any suitable material, 'having varranged Vin the bottomthereof a- 25 -chute I6 upon which the `articlesare deposited a transparent portion I8 throughwhich the ar- 3 0 ticles may be viewed, and the casing may bepro- Vided with a removable hacker-closure I9.

Arranged Within the casing are a plurality-of superposedsupports 2li lwhich incline downwardi ly towards the front of the casing, but terminatev a considerable distance from-the front Wall of the casing to form a passage 2l, into which the articles are delivered as they fall from the respective supports 20, and through which passage the articles will fall until they strike a deector 22149 supported at the bottom of the passage 2| land extending'belowthe series of supports 20., to direct the article to the chute I6, thereby rendering it possible for the operator to at all times view the article while it is resting upon the support 2i) and while falling through the passage 2|. v

Any number of these supports 20 may be provided and are arranged any desired or 'suitable distance above each other to accommodate the various articles to be dispensed.

Co-operating with each of the supports is an article holder or retaining device 23, preferably formed as a bale of a substantially U-shaped configuration, and the extremities of the sides Ofi the 'bale are pivotally mounted as at 24 in 5 5 l mounted for free pivotal movement and conleo nected to the extremity of one end of each isla depending arm 21 (see particularly Figure 111),`

for a purpose to be hereinafter set forth.

These holders or retaining devices are adapted to be swung about theirpivots so as to releasev the article upon the support with which the holding v to hold these slides in proper position.

One of the slides is providedA for each of the article' holding'orretaining devices 23 and carries a lip or projection 3| which engages'the depending arm `21 when the slide is moved in one direction to swing the article holder or retaining means 23 about its pivot 24 to release the article from the co-operating support 2|).-

HA spring 32 (see particularly Figure 10) tends normally' to move the slide 28 in a direction to lower the article'holder or retaining means 23. TheY lip or' vshoulder y3| is formed preferably in a ange on 'the member 28, and such flange is cut away to provide a-.s'pace into which the depending arm 21 projects (as shown in Figure 10).

Carried also by the slide 28 is an arm or projection 33 which-is adapted to be engaged by a pawl 34 pivotally mounted asA at 35 .(see particularly Figures 2 and 7) upon a member 36,V a stop 31 bein'gprovided to limit the' movement of the pawl 34 4in one direction, and a spring`138`tends normallyfto hold a portion of the pawl in engagement with the stop 31.

yThe membery 36 yisv mounted forV sliding move` mentupon a bar or rod 39, lwhich latter isprefverablyV angular in cross section and is pivotally mounted by itsfends in `brackets 40 so as to rotate on a vertical axis,thereby permitting the member 3 5 to rotate onthe same axis to move the pawl 34 into engagement' with the arm or projection 33 on the slide 28 when the member 36 is moved in one direction. to raise the article rholding member or retainer 23, the slide 28 mov- `ing against the stress of the spring 32. When,

133 and into a position that uponthe next rota,- `tion of the member 36, the slide 28 will .again be actuated against the'stress of the spring 32 to raise the article holding orretaining member `23.

Any suitable Ameans may be -provided for rotating the member 39, but a simple and eicient means embodies a bell crank lever 4| pivotally mounted as at 42, Connected to the lever as rat 43 is -a link 44'Which lisnalso, connected as at 45 with the -barg or rod 39.

.Thelever 4|is adapted 'to be swung about its "pivot, by means of an operating knob or handle 4s, and which handle constitutes a portion of a coin controlled mechanism 41, having a slot 48 for the reception 'of the coin.

This coin controlled mechanism ymay be of any desired or suitable construction, suffice it to say that it is provided with a member 49 that is adapted to be actuated by the coin controlledv mechanism, andthis member 49 is in yturn connected by means of allink 50 tovr thefother end of the bell crank lever 4l,as at 5|.

With this construction and when a coin is deposited in the coin receiving opening 48, the coin controlled mechanism will be rendered active,

and this will result in the actuation of the member49 which, through the medium ofthe link'-A 59 will rock the bell crank lever 4I, and through the medium of the link 44 will turn the member 39'about its pivot to rotate the member 36, caus-A ing the pawl 34 to assume a position that in one direction of its movement it will engage the armv 33 on the slide 28 to move the latter against the stress ofthe spring32,`A causing-the, shoulder or ear 3|V to` engage thev depending arm 21: ofthe article holding or retaining member 23 to rock it about its pivot and thereby releasethearticle.

When vthe handle l45 is moved in the opposite direction ,then the'member 36 will be returned andtheypawl 34 will yield to pass bytheparm 33 on the slide A23, and the spring 32 willi return the slide to its -normal position, thereby allowing the article holder or retaining device,v 23'1to" assume its normal position, so that it will're'tain or hold an article upon the respective support 2,0.

l 'I'he member 36 is adapted to be moved length- I wiseof the rod,or bar 39 lin any suitable `mank ner, such as by means of a sprocket chain 52 which passes over a sprocket lwheel Strand also over another sprocket wheel'54 arranged respecto the handle'46, is connected to ashaft-56wto which the sprocket wheel 54 is attached. if Carried by the-member 36 is afpointer orinldicatorl 62 whichis positioned so that'a portion thereof may be-visible ,throughk the Atransparent lmember I8 inthe front ofA themachine (see particularly-Figure 1) and this indicator co-operates with graduations 63,'one of which latter is arranged-iadjacent-each Vof the supports `20.y

In order to insure a proper positioning of the indicator 62 so as toproperly position the dog 34 with respect to the mechanism which it is to vshaft 56 (see particularlyfFigures 4 and 6) a disc 51 having notches 58 inits periphery. A mem-` ber 51a is pivotally mounted as-at 51b and is provided with a laterally projecting portionY 39 ,which-may, if desired, bein the form of a roller adapted to be held in contactwith the periphery when of the disc 51 by means ofasuitablespringfl,

so that when one of the-notches 58is in prox- 65 imity.to.the projection lill, the spring 6| will cause the latter to enter one of the notches 58, it` being understoodv that Ythe notches 58` are arranged` in -proper position with relati on to the position-v ing of the indicat`orr62. v

, In use, this, pointer 62 is positioned by the vhandle sothat' it will be in line with the particularfg'raduation 63th`atis adjacent the sup- 't `portv2ll upon which the desired commodity rests.

By positioning the pointer 62, themem'be'r 35 Will be positioned sothat'when'the machine is operated, the particulararticle .holder or retaining device 23 will be raised in a manner already described.

A supplemental article holder or retainer 64 is provided for each of the supports 20 (see particularly Figure 3), and this .retaining device` is preferably in the form of a gate or member pivotally mounted by oner edge as at 65 and positioned in an opening 66 in the support.VV When the retaining device 64 is in the position shown in'Figure 3, it will hold an article in the rear thereof so that it will not be delivered and will maintain it separated from the article. in advance thereof.

. When, however, the forward article has been dispensedby raising the article holder or retainer 23 at a predetermined time in its return movement to the position shown in'Figurel 3, the locking mechanism for holding the supplemental retainer 64 will be released and theretaining device 64 will be free to move under the weight of the articletherebehind intov a` position that the article formerly held thereby will vmove upon the support 20 into a position to be held by the holder or retaining device 23 to replace the article previously delivered, to be delivered when the holdingor retaining device 23 is again elevated.

Carried also by the shaft l56 is another disc 61 (see particularly Figure 5) which is provided withv recesses 68 opening through its periphery, and'which recesses are preferably in alinement with the recesses 58.

A slide 69 mounted to move upon a suitable guide 10 is provided with a slot `1|.througl'i which a fastening screw 12 passesi j y One end of this slide 69, which slide is preferably in the form of a ban is adapted to enter the recesses 68. The slidel isgiven its movement by means of a bell crank lever-13 to which one end of the slide 69 is connected as at 11|.l To the other end of the bell crank lever 13 ya link 15 is pivotally connected as at 19, and thev other'end of the link 15 is pivotally Aconnected as at 11 to a disc 18 of the coin controlled mechanism, and to which disc 18 is also connected the member 49.

The supplemental article retainersll (see particularly Figures 8 and 9). are held in a locked position, that is so that the article resting upon the support 20 therebehind will be maintained separated from the article resting -on the forward part of the support 29- and against movement toward the forward end of the support by means of locking mechanism which consists -of a member 19 which is pivotallysupported as at 80 upon a fixed support. This member is-preferably shaped to vform arms 8|-82, and carried b-y ther arm 8| is a laterally projecting pVi-nor extension 83. A spring 84 encompasses the pivot 89 and one endof the spring engages the projection `83 and tends normallyvto hold the arm 8| against a stop 85.

A counterbalancing weight 89 may also be carried by the member 19, which will assist the spring 84 in its action, and a stop 81 is provided for limiting the movement ofthe member 19 abo-ut its pivot, the stop 81 voperating in opposition to the stop 85. i 1 l.

Carried also by the member-19 and by the arm 92 thereof, is another member or dog 88 which is pivotally supported by the arm as at 89. The dog 88 is provided with an extended extremity or surface 99 adapted to be engaged by a pin or projection 9| carried by one ofthe arms of the article holder or retainer 23.

'Themember 88 is provided with a bifurcation 92 forming the arms 93-94, and' a pin or` lug 95 is carried by a fixed part of the machine and projects into the bifurcation 92.r

The member 83 is adapted `to swing freely about the pivot 89, as is also the member 19. The member 19 is limited in its swinging movement about its pivot 80 by means of the stops 155-81, whilethearms 93-94 co-perating with the pin or lug 95 operate to limit the swinging movement of the member 88 about its pivot 89.

The` supplemental article retainer or holder 64 is provided with a depending arm 96 having a laterally projecting extremity 91, and this arm 96 is so positioned that when the supplemental retainer G4 is in a position with respect to the support 29 to maintain an article or commodity therebehind,'the member 19 will also bein such a. position that the pin or projection 83 carried by the member 8| will be in a position that the extremity 91 of the arm 96 will rest thereupon and thereby lock the supplemental retainer or holder 84 in an operative position as shown bythe second unit from the bottom of Figure 8.

'When the supplemental retaining member 64 is in a locked position, the article retaining or holding member 23 will be in an operative posi` tion, that is in a position to hold or maintain the article upon the support 2|), or in the position shown by the second unit from the bottom of Figure 8.

' At this time, that is when the retaining member 23 is in an operative position, the pin or projection 9| will be disposed so that the' face 98 of the member Y88 will rest thereagainst and the arms 93-94 of the member 88 will be out of engagement with the pin or projection 95.

When the parts are in this position, or in the position shown by the second unit from the bottomiof Figure 8, an article will be held by the retaining means 23 and another article by the supplemental retainer 64.

When this retainer 23 is raised in the mannerl already described, by operating the slide 28 (see Figure l0) to swing theY article holder-or retaining member 23 about its pivot by means of the shoulder or ear 3| (see Figure 11) engaging the depending arm 21 of the retaining member 23, the pin 9| will move alongfthe face `99 ofv the memberiluntil it has passed 'out of engagement with the member 88, and at that `moment the member 88Y will swing by gravity about the pivot,

89 until'the arm 94 engages thelpin or stop 95. During this entire movement the extremity 91 of the arm 99 of the supplemental retaining device 69 will remain in a locked position by reason of the extremity 91 resting-upon the pin or projection 83 of the member '19. f

The upward movement of the article holder or retaining member 23 will'be limited by means of a stop device 99.

The parts will remain in this position until the retaining member 23 is lowered. During the lowering movement of the retaining member 23, the pin or projection 9| will engage the end or surface 99 of the member 99, as' shown in the lower unit of Figure 8, and a continued movement of they retaining member 23 downwardly will bodily force the member downwardly, causing the member 19 to swing about its pivot 89 so that the pin or projection 83 will be moved out of engagement with the extremity 91 of the arm. 96'

of the supplemental retainer E9, thereby releasing or unlocking the supplemental retaining member 64, so that the weight or pressure ofthe article behind the retaining member 34 will cause lil the latter toswing about its pivot from'the vposi'- tion shown in the second unit from the bottom of- Figure 8 to the position'shown in the bottom unit of Figure 8, to releasethe article and allow the same to slide forwardly upon the support 20 to be retained or held by the retaining member 23.`

Just at the time that the pin 83 is moved away from the extremity 9`| of the arm 96, the retaining member 23 will have assumed its operative position with respect to the support 20.

As the member 88 is bodily lowered causing the member 82 to swing about its pivot 80, the member 88 will also swing about its pivot by reason 4lof the arm 94 contacting with the pin or projection 95. v 1

In order to reset the locking mechanisms embodying the member 88, there is provided a bar or member |00, which is provided with arms |0| so shaped that they will pass under `.the respective arms 98 of the supplemental retainer 64, when the bar or member |00 is bodily moved lengthwise, to rock the supplemental retainers 64 about their pivots into an operative position and at the same time position the arms 96 so that the extremities 91,-when the bar or member |80isreturned,en gage and res-t upon the projectionsV 83 of the members'89. s

Ihe bar or member v1| 00 is supportedby bell crank levers |02, any number of which maybe provided, and each one of these bell crank levers is pivotally mounted intermediate its'endsrl as' atv |03v upon a stationary part of the machine, and the bell crank levers 'are connected by one end as at |04 to the bar or member |00. The connecting pins or members |04 pass through curved slots |05 in a stationary member |06, and on which member |06 are stops |01 for limiting the movement of the arms 96 and consequently'the supplemental retaining member 64 in one direction under the iniluence of they arms 96 when the machine is being reset foroperation.v

The curved slots |05 permit of the proper movement of the bar or member |00.. n

I'he -other end ofthe bell crank levers |82 are pivotally connected as at v|08 to an actuating b-ar ormem'ber |09, one end of which latter is formed intoV a nger'engaging portion H0. A spring is anchored as at ||2 to a xed support and `is connected as at I3 to the bar or member |09.V

Thus, -when the bar or member |09 is moved downwardly, the bell crank levers |02l will swingY about their vpivots |03, carrying with them the bar ormember-Hll, the curved slots |05 permitting of the proper movement of the bar or memberIU." .f

This movement of the bar ma win move the arms or projections' |0| thereon into engage; ment with lthe arms 96 to swing the supplemental retainers or article'holders 64 'into an op'erav tive position and to hold them in`such position until the pins 83 are moved under `the extremities l91 and thereby lock the supplemental retainers or holders 64 in operative positions.`V

The weighlt carried by the member 19 serves to counterbalance the member 88, and this weight together with the spring 84 operate upon the memberA 19 to swing the same'about its pivot and to raise the member88 so that they will be in position that the pin 9| willengage and shift both the member '|9iand 88 tol release the sup# plemental'retainerv 64 as the' retainer 23 moves into operative position;

While the preferred form of thev invention has been herein shown and described, it is to rbe un-` derstood that variousy changes may be" made in at pivotally/mounted locking element, a second elem-ent mounted upon thel said locking element for bodily movement therewith andfor 'move.

ment with respect thereto, means connected'with:Y

the actuated'retaining means kfor engaging the second said element to swing the locking element about-its pivot to render the last's'aidlocking element inactive, and means for causing the said second element to be moved with respect to the said locking element during its bodily movement with the latter vwhereby'to position the said second element to lock the'said one of "the 'retainers.

2. Ina vending machine an article support, article retaining means'co-operating with the support, means "foractuatingv said retaining means to release thear'ticle held thereby, a supplemental retaining means, locking means for the 'said supplemental'retaining means, said lock-- ing` means embodying' a pivotally'mounte'd locking element, an element` mounted upon 'the said locking element for movement therewith and also with respect thereto', meanscarried with the actuated retaining means'for limiting the movement of the second said element with'respect to the locking 'element when'the latter isk in an active position'with respect' to the supplemental retainingfmeans, said second element moving with respect"to the saidlockingv element -upvon movementof theY actuated retaining element 'in one direction, to a position to be engaged by the said means'which is carried bythe actuated releasing element during 'the movement yof the latter isfanother direction, to swingfthe locking element about r`its pivot to render the latter irlactive to -release the fsaid supplemental retaininemenSS-f p l Q Q 3. Iny avending machine asupport constituting the sole support for the articles', a plurality of separate retaining means other than said support for retaining the articles upony the support,

means for actuating one of the retaining meansr to release the article held thereby, locking means for the other retaining means, said locking means embodying a pivotally mounted locl'ring element,

Y an elementfmounted upon saidllocking element for movement therewith and" also with respect ing'said lockingf element to renderA the other of said retaining means inactive. s A y 4. In a vending machine a'support 'constituting the sole support for the article, articleretaining means separate from the support'and movable into and out of active'po'sition with respect to the support, means for thus moving said retain# ing means, a supplemental 'retaining *I'nea'nsV also co-operating with the support to hold another article, locking means for vthe supplemental rei tainingA nne'ans,` said locking 'meansembodying a pivotally supported element, a'secondfelement,

said elements.' pivotally connectedl together,

Lil

me'ans pivotally supporting one ofthe elements,

one of'sa'id elements constituting a locking ele'- ment, actuating means carried with the first said retaining means for engaging the other of said elements to shift the locking element to render the latter inactive, and'means whereby when the first recited retaining meansis Vmoved in one. direction, the said other element will be automatically positioned to be shifted to actuate the locking relement upon the movement ofithe first said retaining means ,in the opposite direction. L

5. In a vending machine an article support, a retainer for retaining the article upon the support Vand-'being movable intoA and out of active position with respect to the support, arsupplementaly article retainer also cci-operating Awith said support and movable into and out of active position with respect thereto, a locking element for the Asupplemental retainer, means' mounting said element for movement intor and out of active positions, and means responsive to the actuation vof the first said retainer for rendering said locking element active and inactive, the last said means embodying a second element pivotally mounted upon and also movable vwith the said locking element, a projection on' the first said retainer adapted to lengage and move the second said element and thereby render lthe iirst said element inactive. Y

6. In a vending machine, an articlefsupport, a pivotallylmounted retainer co-operating with the support for holding the article thereupon, a projection carried by said retainer, a pivotally mounted locking element, means tendinganormally to inove said element into an active position'to be engaged by said projection, asecond element carried by the said locking element for movement therewith and with respect thereto, a second article retainer movable into and out of active positions with respect to the support,

means connected with the last saidretainer, adapted 'to engage and move said second element to shift the locking element to render the latter y inactive when the second said retainer is moved in one direction, and means tending normally to move the second said element into a position to be engaged by the last said means, the third recited means operating automatically upon the movement of the second said retainer into a position to release the article on the support held thereby.

7. In a vending machine an article support, a pivotally mounted retainer co-operating with the support to hold the article in position thereupon, a shoulder on the retainer, a pivotally mounted locking element, means tending normally to move said element into a posi-tion to be engaged by said shoulder to lock said retainer, a second element carried by the locking element for movement therewith and with respect thereto, a second retainer for the articles movable into and out of active positions with respect to said support, a formation on said second retainer to engage said second element to render the locking element inactive when the said second retainer is moved in one direction, the said formation serving when the last said retainer is in an active position with respect to the support, as a stop to limit the movement of the second said element iny one direction about its pivot.

8. In a vending machine an article support, a plurality of pivotally mounted retainers cooperating wi-th the support to hold the articles thereupon, locking means yfor one of the retainers, said locking means embodying a pivotally'mounted locking element, a second element mounted upon the locking element for movement therewith and with respect thereto, means tending normally to render the locking element active, and means responsive to the operation of the other of the retainers, adapted to engage said second element tobodily shift it 'and with it the said locking element to render the latter inactive with respect to said retainer.

9. In a vending machinev an article support, a pivotally mounted retainer co-operating with the support to hold lthe article thereupon, locking means for the retainer, said locking means embodying a pivotally mounted locking element,

a second element mounted upon the locking element for movement therewith and with respect thereto,` means tending normallyto render the locking element active, and means adapted to a plurality of separate and pivotally mounted retainers co-operating withthe support to hold the articles thereupon, locking means for one of said retainers, said locking means embodying a pivotally mounted lockingl element, an arm on one of said retainers,.rneans tending normally to position the locking element to be engaged by said arm, a second element supported by the locking element for movement therewith and with respect thereto, an arm connected with another of the retainers, the last said arm adapted tok engage and move said secondl element to shift the locking element when the last said retainer is moved in one direction, the lastv said arm also serving to control the movement of the second said element about its pivot, and a stop for limiting the last said movement of the last said element about its point of pivotal connection with the said locking element. Y

v 11. In avending machine an article support, a plurality of i separate and pivotally,v mounted retainers co-operating with the support to hold the articles thereupon, locking meansfor one of said retainers, said locking means embodying a pivotally mounted locking element, an arm on one of said retainers, means -tending normally to position the locking element to be engaged by said arm, a second element supported by the locking element for movement therewith and with respect thereto, an arm connected With another of ythe retainers, the last said arm adapted to engage and move said second element to shift the locking element when the last said retainer is moved in one direction, the last said arm4 also serving to control the movement of the second said element about its pivot, a stop for limiting the last said movement of the last said element about its point of pivotal connection with the said locking element, and means for positioning the first said arm to engage the said locking element.

12. In a vending machine an article support, a plurality of separate4 and pivotally mounted retainers co-operating with the support to hold the articles thereupon, locking means for one of said retainers, said locking means embodying a pivotally mounted locking element, an arm on one of said retainers, means tending normally to position the locking element to be engaged by said arm, a second lelement supported by the locking element for movement therewith and with respect thereto, an arm connected with another of the retainers, the last said arm adapted to `engage and move said second element to shift the locking element when the last said retainer is moved'in one direction, the last said arm also serving to `control the movement of the second said elementA about its pivot, a stop for limiting the last said movement of the last said element aboutits poin-t of pivotal connection with the saidV locking element, and counterbalancing means for the said'lockingelement.

13. In a; vending machine an article support, a pivotally. mounted retainer co-operating with the support `to Ihold, the .article thereupon, a shoulder on the retainer,- a `pivotally mounted locking element, meanstending normally to position said element to be engaged by said shoulder to lock said retainer, a second element pivotally mounted upon the lockingA element for movement therewith and also with respect thereto, a `stop for limiting the movement of said second element for movement about its point of pivotal connection with said locking element, an actuating member pivotally mounted with respect tov the said support, and an arm on said actuating member, said arm in one position of the actuating` member, serving as another stop for limiting movement of the said -second element about its point of pivotal connection with said locking element, said arm in one direction of movement of said actuating member, engaging an edge of said second elemen-t to bodily shift the latter to move the locking element about its pivot out of engagement'with said shoulder, to release the said retainer.

14. In a vending machine an article support, a pivotally mounted retainer cao-Operating with the support to hold the article thereupon, a shoulder on the retainer, a pivotally mounted locking element, means tending normally to positionfsaid element to be engaged by said shoulder to lock said retainer, a second element pivot-.

ally mounted upon the looking element forv movement therewith and also with respect thereto, a

stop fory limiting the movement of said second .element aboutv its point of pivotalv connection with said locking element.. an'actuatingmem.-

ber pivotally mounted with respect tothe said support, and an arm on said actuating `member, said varm in one position of the actuating mein'- ber, serving as lanother stopior'limitingmove.-

l ment ofthe said second element aboutits point of pivotal connection withy saidlocking element, said arm in one direction of movement'of lsaid actuating member, engaging 'an edge of said sec-v ond element to bodily shift the latter to'move' the locking element about its pivot out of engagement with said shoulder, to release the said. re-

tainer, said actuating member constituting an additional article retainer co-operating'with said support. y f 'f 15. In -a vending machine .an article support, a pivotally mounted retainer co-operating. with the support to holdl the article. thereupon, a. shoulder `on the retainer, a pivotally mounted lockingelement, meansv tendingnormally to po'- sition said element to be engaged by said shouI-' der to locksaid retainer, ase'cond element. pivotally mounted upon the locking element for movement therewith and also with respectl therei to, a stop for limiting the movementl ofv saidy second element about itsv point of pivotalcon-A nection with said locking element, an actuating member 'pivotally mountedA With respect tothe said support, an arm on said actuating member,

said arm in one position of the actuating memy.

ber, serving as another stop'for limiting "movement of the said second elementv about its point of pivotal connection with said locking' element, said arm in one direction of movement of said actuating member, engaging an edge of said sec-V ond element to bodily'shift the latter to'movethe locking element "about its pivot out of engagement with said shoulder, to release the said retainer, and means for positioning said retainer into an active position with respectV to the sup-Vv port and for moving said shoulder to a position to engage said locking element, the said locking f element yielding under the action of the last said I Y vALBERT E. GEBERT.

MYRON H. RICHARDSON. FLOYD C. BLACK.' 

